Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West

Author of the National Book Award-winning All the Pretty Horses, Cormac McCarthy is one of the most provocative American stylists to emerge in the last century. The striking novel Blood Meridian offers an unflinching narrative of the brutality that accompanied the push west on the 1850s Texas frontier.

When I started reading I couldn't find the thread in this stream of consciousness narrative. But after a couple of chapters I understood that there was no traditional "storyline" per se. Instead, from the very first paragraph, the reader simply materializes beside a young man who is trying to survive in an incredibly hostile environment. We watch as he randomly encounters various threats and opportunities. The images are horrific, but feel authentic. The writer uses archaic language, the kind one finds in letters and journals of the period. That and the graphic descriptions of atrocities committed paints a vivid and shocking picture for the reader. Not unlike the shock viewers of Deadwood (HBO series) first experienced at that depiction of the Old West, so in stark contrast with our shared cultural myths (ala Gunsmoke). We don't often talk about the atrocities perpetrated against the native population here, and when we do we don't talk about what those atrocities really were. We more often talk about the atrocities committed by natives against settlers. Here we see clearly it was a tit for tat escalation, an apocalyptic era with no limits on cruelty and brutality.

Revival: A Novel

In a small New England town, over half a century ago, a shadow falls over a small boy playing with his toy soldiers. Jamie Morton looks up to see a striking man, the new minister. Charles Jacobs, along with his beautiful wife, will transform the local church. The men and boys are all a bit in love with Mrs. Jacobs; the women and girls feel the same about Reverend Jacobs - including Jamie’s mother and beloved sister, Claire. With Jamie, the Reverend shares a deeper bond based on a secret obsession.

No. David Morse is the best reader I've ever heard but this story was barely mediocre. I think the earliest reviews (prior to 11/11) set my expectations so high (best new work since Carrie, blah blah blah) I was seriously disappointed at the denouement which didn't occur until the last 30 minutes of the book and made little to no sense at all.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Introduce more of the supernatural elements revealed at the end, earlier in the novel. Weave them into the picture slowly with enough detail and experience to make them feel real. Aside from electricity and lightening the strange reality lying just beneath the surface of "our" reality was never even hinted at, aside from a couple of comments about dead ivy on the door (whatever that was intended to mean). The book ended and I felt cheated, disappointed and dissatisfied.

What does David Morse bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He's the best narrator I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of them. I used to like Scott Brick, but the last work of his I tried to listen to was so irritating with his breathless and overdramatic delivery, I couldn't stand it. This narrator made the central character (Jamie) come alive. His delivery was perfect, easy to listen to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Other than confusion and befuddlement, no.

Any additional comments?

Although I did enjoy his previous work - Mercedes Man, as a modern detective story not horror, I'm not sure I'll listen to or read any further work from him. It's just too disappointing. King has been the master of prose, painting a vivid picture that draws you into the story. Maybe he has run out of ideas.

Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales

The first collection of stories Stephen King has published since Nightmares & Dreamscapes nine years ago, Everything's Eventual includes one O. Henry Prize winner, two other award winners, four stories published by The New Yorker, and "Riding the Bullet", King's original e-book, which attracted over half a million online readers and became the most famous short story of the decade. Intense, eerie, and instantly compelling, they announce the stunningly fertile imagination of perhaps the greatest storyteller of our time.

Absolutely would recommend this title. I listened to it while on vacation and some of these tales will haunt me ever after.

What did you like best about this story?

This was a collection of short stories. Everything's Eventual, the title story about a geek with an unusual ability to create deadly emails, was brilliantly told, unfolded. The story about the boy trying to hitch-hike to a neighboring town to visit his sick mother presented that character with an unthinkable choice. The one about the road virus was terrifying. All of the stories included were good.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Some interpretation of the characters, I suppose. Hearing someone read to you is comforting and ensures comprehension, narrators in this collection were not intrusive and did a good job of interpreting the characters.

If you could take any character from Everything's Eventual out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The email writing geek. I want to hear more about the glyphs he can construct.

Mr. Mercedes: A Novel

In the frigid pre-dawn hours, in a distressed Midwestern city, hundreds of desperate unemployed folks are lined up for a spot at a job fair. Without warning, a lone driver plows through the crowd in a stolen Mercedes, running over the innocent, backing up, and charging again. Eight people are killed; fifteen are wounded. The killer escapes. Mr. Mercedes is a war between good and evil, from the master of suspense whose insight into the mind of this obsessed, insane killer is chilling and unforgettable.

I usually enjoy King's work but this is just another run of the mill detective story, I cannot even refer to it as a thriller. Nothing memorable about this book. I kept waiting for something to develop, and there was some tension near the end (will they stop him?!?), but not the interesting plot I usually find in King's work.

What do you think your next listen will be?

The Troop, if I can stand to listen to the gore and gag.

Which character – as performed by Will Patton – was your favorite?

Brady Hartsfield was splendidly captured by Will Patton. He's an EXCELLENT narrator, easy to listen do, does an extraordinary job changing voices without the hysterical overacting you find with some narrators like Scott Brick.

Did Mr. Mercedes inspire you to do anything?

Pray that Mr. King's muse returns.

Any additional comments?

King's prose is engaging and this isn't a bad read if you keep your expectations low.

NOS4A2: A Novel

Victoria McQueen has an uncanny knack for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. When she rides her bicycle over the rickety old covered bridge in the woods near her house, she always emerges in the places she needs to be. Vic doesn't tell anyone about her unusual ability, because she knows no one will believe her. She has trouble understanding it herself.

I might listen again just to hear Ms. Mulgrew's performance. Her voice is wonderfully rich and her characterizations were perfect. I went out and searched for her other titles. But to be perfectly honest, I think I might be willing to listen to her read the phone book, she's that good. Of course, I realize she is a brilliant actor and I know her from television, movies and the stage. But I hope she does more audible books.

What other book might you compare NOS4A2 to and why?

I would compare his work with that of Stephen King. Like King, he has a unique, rather askew, world view. I loved Hill's "Heart Shaped Box" and "Horns" was utterly amazing. This follows that tradition. I must admit that NOS4A2 did not *grab* me the way his other work did. With "Horns" I was hooked with the first page. NOS4A2 did not engage me like that but I stuck with it and sure am glad I did. I'm looking forward to Hill's next opus.

Have you listened to any of Kate Mulgrew’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to a lot of audible titles but this is the first one with Mulgrew. I've already purchased another title (anthology of short stories) she performs part of, just because this listen was so extraordinary and such a great experience.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Gone Girl: A Novel

It is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media - as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents - the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter - but is he really a killer?

14

There are some odd things about Nate’s new apartment. Of course, he has other things on his mind. He hates his job. He has no money in the bank. No girlfriend. No plans for the future. So while his new home isn’t perfect, it’s livable. The rent is low, the property managers are friendly, and the odd little mysteries don’t nag at him too much. At least, not until he meets Mandy, his neighbor across the hall, and notices something unusual about her apartment. And Xela’s apartment. And Tim’s. And Veek’s.

The story concept was unique and facinating. From the move-in scenes near the beginning, the questions start piling up. The answers were unexpected, especially the reveal about apartment 14. I love steampunk anyhow and pulling in elements of historical figures like Tesla was a brilliant move.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 14?

The discovery of the power room and its energy source, a vivid mental picture.The reveal of the wood paneled apartment as a "control room".

Have you listened to any of Ray Porter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Never listened to Ray before this book but I'll be looking for him now. He did a wonderful job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!!!!

Any additional comments?

I wasn't as impressed with the alternate dimension scenes. It was ok, and of course was intended to be spectacular, but this was the only place where my suspension of disbelief collapsed. It was just a little bit silly in my opinion. Had a hard time taking it very seriously. Perhaps it would play better in a good sci-fi movie interpretation.

When The Dancing Stopped: The Real Story of the Morro Castle Disaster and Its Deadly Wake

In the best-selling tradition of The Devil in the White City, award-winning author Brian Hicks tells the explosive story of the Morro Castle, the elegant luxury liner that burned off the coast of New Jersey on September 7, 1934. The captain died under mysterious circumstances seven hours before his ship caught fire off the New Jersey coast.

farmhouselady says:"The state of cruise ships, before the Titanic sank"

This book caught my eye because I'd heard of the Morro Castle but knew just the basic outlines of the tragedy. I knew a lot of people died when the ship caught fire off the NJ coast, that's about all. I'm about halfway through it now and it's one of those selections that makes me look forward to my commute. The writer carefully paints a vivid picture of the events leading to the tragedy, and from many points of view. We are assured the author based the narrative on testimony, letters and other solid evidence. Trusting that's so, we see yet again that truth truly is stranger than fiction. Who would have thought a captain would choose to never have a fire drill because he didn't want to inconvenience the passengers. Even though it was routine throughout the industry and the passengers actually found the experience rather fun, an exciting little adventure, a comfort to know everyone was prepared in the unlikely event of fire. And who would think it so important that all the woodwork throughout the ship be polished to a high gloss that they regularly soaked all the wood surfaces in an inflammable concoction. And the constellation of events that conspired to leave the ship in the hands of a rookie who didn't think to send out an SOS at the first sign of trouble or turn the vessel out of a 20 knot headwind that was fanning the flames. If this were a movie of a fictional account, I'd have walked out by now. But this is all historical fact. I recommend this one to history buffs.

Port Mortuary: A Scarpetta Novel

In this fast-paced story, a treacherous path from Scarpetta's past merges with the high tech highway she now finds herself on. We travel back to the beginning of her professional career, when she enlisted in the Air Force to pay off her medical school debt and found herself ensnared in a gruesome case of what seemed to be vicious, racially motivated hate crimes against two Americans in South Africa.

This is it. I am now officially giving up on Patricia Cornwell. Although the case at the center of this novel might have been reasonably interesting, most of the book was taken up with Scarpetta's angst, anger and self doubt bordering on paranoid fantasies. It was a profoundly irritating and repetitive read. Basically, this is a criminal case worthy of perhaps a short story or possibly a novella. Cornwell pads it with a lot of needless organizational and personal diversions. Don't bother, folks. This is not classic Cornwell, it's more of her recent drivel.

Full Dark, No Stars

"I believe there is another man inside every man, a stranger...." writes Wilfred Leland James in the early pages of the riveting confession that makes up "1922", the first in this pitch-black quartet of mesmerizing tales from Stephen King. For James, that stranger is awakened when his wife, Arlette, proposes selling off the family homestead and moving to Omaha, setting in motion a gruesome train of murder and madness.

This book is 4 novellas or long stories. The first one, about a 1920s era farmer, wasn't worth the time. It went on too long and there was no significant reveal at the end. Man kills wife and screws up son. Yawn. Good prose though (as usual with King). The one about the writer was splendid, as was the one about the woman who makes a truly horrifying discovery in her husband's workshop area. That leaves the last story and I would have given it a more favorable review except for the abrupt ending. The most interesting aspect to a Faustian bargain is the bargainer's comeuppance, which we never saw. I did enjoy the author's post script, concluding comments. I agree with King, what most interests me is ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. He's a master at that. Can't wait for his next work!

Phantoms

They found the town silent, apparently abandoned. Then they found the first body strangely swollen and still warm. One hundred fifty were dead, 350 missing. But the terror had only begun in the tiny mountain town of Snowfield, California.

From the ominous opening passages that introduce us to Snowfield through to the climactic shootout at the hospital this book had me from beginning to end. The narrator was perfect, I didn't notice him at all (which is my measure of a good narrator, unintrusive). The "Ancient Enemy" seemed a bit of a rehash of the 1950's thriller "The Blob" - but it was a worthwhile rehash, for sure.

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